Our Patrons
A.F. Harrold is a poet, performer and children’s novelist who has lived in Reading for the last 25 years. He’s a regular visitor in schools, talking about poetry and about his books, such as the hilarious Fizzlebert Stump and Greta Zargo series.
He’s also written some stranger, spookier novels (9+), such as the award-winning books The Imaginary and The Song from Somewhere Else, illustrated by Kate Greenaway Medal winning Emily Gravett and Levi Pinfold respectively. With his background in slam poetry and comedy he is a lively and interactive performer and has been the guest of literary festivals around the UK and abroad. He has a beard and a hat and a website: www.afharroldkids.com
I’m a writer, and the author of many books for adults, including DEAR THING, which was a featured Richard and Judy Book Club book. I’m also a tutor of creative writing, and before that, I taught secondary school English for ten years. And before that, I moved from my native USA to the UK because I loved studying English books. But I never would have done any of this if I hadn’t first been a reader. To me, reading is magical—it’s the doorway to infinite experience and knowledge, and it’s also good fun. And it’s shaped my entire life.
I live in Reading with my husband and young son, in a house full of books.
What is your role at ABC to read?
Patron of ABC to read.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
My local writing group, Reading Writers, decided to donate the proceeds of our latest anthology to the charity, and I was delighted to be asked to be a patron.
Before becoming an author, I worked as football journalist, travelling to two World Cups with the England Team and interviewing the likes of Messi and Ronaldo. I love talking about books, writing and football and spend much of my time visiting schools all over the country.
For more info, please check out
twitter: @danfreedman99
Praise for the Jamie Johnson series:
‘An inspiring read for all football fans’
Gary Lineker
‘You’ll read this and want to get out there and play’
Steven Gerrard
What is your role at ABC to read?
Patron of ABC to read.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
I’m delighted to be working with ABC to read. As a children’s author who regularly works with reluctant readers, I’m right behind everything that Marcia and the team are trying achieve.
Our Trustees
I am a relatively recent Berkshire resident, having moved to Maidenhead with my husband and two young boys four years ago. I’ve enjoyed getting to know my surroundings and meeting new people in my community, including those at my son’s new school. My background is in marketing and communications, with experience in commercial banking, consultancy and most recently in the public sector. Outside of work and parenthood, I am passionate about nutrition and healthy living, and am currently studying to become a Culinary Nutrition Expert.
What is your role at ABC to read?
I have been a member of the Board of Trustees since June 2021.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
I had felt for some time that I wanted to give something back to my community, and had been looking for a suitable opportunity to get involved with a charity I felt I could really support with my skills and experience. When I was sent details of ABC to read, their vision and mission really resonated with me. As a newish mum who struggled, like many, to homeschool during the pandemic, I grew to appreciate even more how the school environment and building children’s literacy and overall confidence can make such a vast difference to their happiness and success. I want to see all children in Berkshire have the attention and support they need to help them thrive, and I am excited to be working with such an enthusiastic team to help deliver this.
Which is your favourite children’s/adult’s book?
There are so many great books to choose from, for both adults and children. My eldest loves reading the ‘Alien’s love underpants’ series, and my youngest is a fan of anything by Julia Donaldson.
A book that I read many years back but always stuck with me was Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, and more recently I was blown away by Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
What do you want people to know about you?
I spend a lot of time travelling, running, meeting friends and visiting exhibitions. As a teacher I have always been passionate and committed to improving literacy and have been supporting an English language teaching programme Tanzania for more than 10 years. ABC to Read is a great way of indulging my passion and making a difference for children who might not otherwise have the one to one support that is so beneficial.
What is your role at ABC to read?
I am a trustee.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
I looked on the Volunteer Just Do It website and heard about the work of ABC to Read in local schools.
Which is your favourite children’s and adult’s book?
My favourite children’s book is ‘Peace at Last’ by Shirley Hughes; my adult choice is more difficult, I will choose ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ by Harper Lee.
What do you want people to know about you?
My name is Steve Smith. I have a degree in Agricultural Botany from Reading University. I have two children; James works for a biotechnology company and Sam is a Will and Probate Solicitor for a local law firm. I also have two young grandchildren who love books and me reading to them.
I spent my career in the pharmaceutical industry developing new therapies in dermatology and immunology. In 1996 I completed an MBA and in 1999 set up my own drug development company. The company expanded rapidly and in 2006 I sold it to a US Company. In 2009 I set up a quality assurance company (2009). In 2020 I retired leaving the running of the business to the existing management team.
What is your role at ABC to read?
I am the Treasurer and a Trustee of the charity.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
After selling my business I was looking for voluntary roles in the charity sector where I could use my financial and business expertise. The role of Treasurer was advertised as the current Treasurer was wanting to step down. I was married to a primary school teacher and my sister and mother were primary school teachers. Through them I fully understand the importance of reading and literacy and so the charity appealed to me.
Which are your favourite children’s and adult’s book?
I have no favourite children’s books as it was too long ago! However, I remember ‘The Blue Balloon’ by Mick Inkpen being a favourite of my boys when they were young.
I have many favourite adult books but perhaps my favourite of all time is ‘Birdsong’ by Sebastian Faulks.
What do you want people to know about you?
Born and raised in Enfield, Middlesex, I arrived in Reading at the age of eighteen to train as a teacher… and I’ve never escaped – or wanted to! I am married with three grown-up children and two grandchildren. After leaving college, I worked, initially, as a secondary teacher of German and then as a primary teacher, in four of Berkshire’s six unitary authority areas. I also represented Berkshire on the National Executive of a major teaching union. For ten years, I was headteacher of New Town Primary School, Reading before taking on a succession of shorter-term interim headships in West Berkshire, West Oxfordshire and Hampshire. I took early retirement at the end of 2011, so I now have more time to devote to voluntary work with ABC to read. I also provide safeguarding children training to local charities through RVA. When I retired, I returned to choral singing after a gap of over thirty years and still enjoy my singing greatly.
What is your role at ABC to read?
I have been a trustee of ABC to read since it was founded and currently have special responsibility for safeguarding.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
As headteacher of a school in a challenging area and which was facing an uphill struggle to raise standards for its children, I despaired when the national charity that supported reading volunteers in Berkshire suddenly closed down, just before Christmas, leaving volunteers, staff, schools and, most importantly, struggling children in the lurch. Alongside other enraged supporters, I decided to channel my indignation into something positive and was flattered to be invited to become one of ABC to read’s first trustees when the new charity was launched in 2004.
After a legal career, I am focussing my attention on the importance of education and the opportunities that are given to children in this regard. I am a parent Governor of 2 local schools. I am also involved in the local scouting organisation. I live in Reading with my husband and our son, who is 9 years old.
What is your role at ABC to read?
I am a member of the Board of Trustees.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to Read?
I have always loved reading and have passed this love onto my son who is an avid reader. Reading is a portal to other worlds and it is important to give children the opportunity to gain a love of books and to see the world through the eyes of a reader.
I saw a poster for ABC to Read in a local bookshop and investigated the website. By coincidence I saw a Twitter feed in which the organisation were asking people to become Trustees. As I believed that I had the required skills, I put myself forward for the role.
Which is your favourite children’s/adult’s book?
When I was a child I loved A.A Milne’s stories and poems. With my son I enjoyed reading Dr. Seuss’s ‘Oh,The Places You’ll Go’. As an adult, my favourite book is ‘Hotel New Hampshire’ by John Irving and my other favourite, and a book I retreat into, is ‘ Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen.
I have been a Reading Mentor with ABC for approx. 20 years. And a Trustee too for around 10 years. It is a real joy to help young children get the same pleasure out of books as I do. And my work with the Trustee Board has, I hope, contributed to their ongoing success.
After finishing work in the early 2000’s I realised I needed to fill the space left by working. I started with ABC on the recommendation of my daughter; she’s a broadcast journalist and at that time she knew of the ‘young’ charity ABC. She felt I would be a good candidate as ‘apparently’ I had been really supportive with her reading and managed to instill my love of reading/books. Maybe influencing her career choice!
Around the same time, I also joined the Independent Monitoring Board for the Prison Service and spent many years doing that alongside ABC. My work with the children provided a great balance with my challenging prison role. Over the years I have worked with some great children who have responded so well to the relationship we are able to build around our reading sessions. Seeing children progress to a good level of fluency, comprehension and understanding, in tandem with their teachers, has certainly been a real highlight in my life.
What do you want people to know about you?
Hello, I am Leorah Stewart. I am a soon to be graduate of the University of Reading, where I studied English Literature. I have been in Reading for 7 years now, but I grew up in North London and spent a year living abroad in Cape Town, South Africa when I was 13 which was a very formative experience for me! South Africa is where I started my journey with voluntary work. I love reading fiction, painting, hiking and listening to educational podcasts on social issues. Equity in education is something I am very passionate about. This is what first drew me to the incredible work done by ABC to read.
What is your role at ABC to read?
I am a marketing trustee, and a grant writer and marketing intern.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
I was looking for some work experience during my third and final year at the University of Reading and I stumbled across this internship with a local charity as part of the university’s internship scheme. I was thoroughly impressed and inspired by the work the charity was doing. It felt like a very important and personal cause as I deeply understand the ways socio-economic status influences education; from feeling disenfranchised, to not having access to the same opportunities or resources. When I heard I was accepted for an interview for the internship with ABC to read I was actually in a seminar on Margaret Atwood! Since working as an intern for the charity have come on board as a trustee to continue supporting the crucial work done by ABC to read. Reading is such a vital skill and I think everyone should have the opportunity to experience the comfort, thrill and goosebumps a good book can give you.
What is your favourite children’s book and adult book? (I noticed this question on the website but it was not on your list. I have answered it just in case you need me too!)
This is such a tough question and one that comes up a lot as a literature student!
So many books shaped my childhood. ‘Anne of Green Gables’ by LM Montgomery was a big one for me as my middle name is Anne (with an ‘e’) and I relate to all of Anne’s oddities and her connection to nature.
It is difficult to narrow it down to one book, but if I had to I would say ‘Girl, Woman, Other’ by Bernadine Evaristo which is such an important book and one I implore everyone to read!
What do you want people to know about you?
I am a retired Headteacher living in Reading.
I am a lawn bowls player ,outside, in all weathers in the summer and indoors during the winter season where I run an evening team of players.
I enjoy spending time in my garden and I sing in a choir and enjoy playing the piano. I am an avid reader and enjoy nothing better than time spent with a good book and my two cats curled up on my lap.
During my career I recognised and worked tirelessly to promote the importance of reading in children’s lives both for its obvious practical application make which makes everything in school and life easier, and helps to promote a love of learning, but also to promote the “ magic” of books as a pastime and an escape from the demands of the real world for a while, and for the opportunities books present for us to see and understand the world through others eyes, words and experiences.
I have many favourite books but amongst some are :
The JRR Tolkien Lord of the Rings trilogy and Dylan Thomas’ play Under Milk Wood.
A favourite children’s story would be the Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber
What is your role at ABC to read?
I am delighted to be invited to be a trustee of this charity and offer my skills and experience to continue to support its invaluable work, helping children to acquire the literacy skills and confidence they need to help them be successful.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
My husband was a founding member of ABC2 Read and so I saw at first hand the hard work and dedication of this charity in supporting young people to grow and succeed.
I also had reading mentors in my school and saw the difference that this made to children’s confidence and literacy skills .
Our Employees
What do you want people to know about you?
Marcia Rowlinson, I am married with two boys, have lived in Reading for 35 years and like to think I have settled well and supported the local community, after being born and brought up in Germany. I come from a sales and marketing background mainly gained through a banking environment.
What is your role at ABC to read?
I am very proud to be working as the CEO of ABC to read and leading the charity into helping as many children as possible to become readers. I am very lucky be working with wonderful people who dedicate their time to make a difference to the lives of children in Berkshire with my initial focus.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
I have welcomed the opportunity of working in an environment that supports and produces a significant improvement in a child’s reading ability and therefore in their life chances. As a parent who wants the best start for my children, and like most, I feel it is a shame that so many children in Berkshire start secondary school with a low reading ability. I am very much looking forward to working with you all and very much hope you can carry on helping us to continue such a valuable service.
What do you want people to know about you?
I live in Caversham Heights with my husband, Ben and my son, Sam.
I have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed a career in Human Resources for over 20 years, before taking time out to bring up my son and to care for my mum.
During this time, I became an AVON representative (which I still continue to do) and I also worked in a part-time role at a local Pre-school, as Business Administrator, and I really enjoyed my 7 years of working there.
In my spare time, I love meeting up with friends, I try to walk daily (aiming to achieve 10,000 steps a day but not always succeeding!) and I enjoy baking cakes and eating them!
What is your role at ABC to read?
I am the Office Manager, working part-time, 3 days per week (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday). I manage the administration for the charity and support the team as best I can.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
I have seen for myself how important it is to read to children at a young age. We started reading to our son within the first week of him being born. “Dear Zoo” by Rod Campbell was a memorable favourite, and we continued to read to him, and with him, throughout his early and primary school years. He is now an avid reader although preferring to read on his own rather than his parents joining in!
I feel very fortunate to be have been given this opportunity to work for a local charity, with a wonderful and committed team of people, who are doing their very best to support the children in our community.
What is your role at ABC to read?
I am the Office Administrator, which involves the day to day running of the ABC office and to assist Tracy Donaldson the Office Manager.
I work seven hours a week and three hours of that, you will find me in the office on a Tuesday.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
I was very fortunate to find out about this role and very excited to have been given this opportunity to work for a local charity, with a team of wonderful and committed colleagues that are supporting our local children in the community.
I always remembered my mother years ago used to take time out to read with the children at our local primary school who were either under achieving or needed that extra one to one, to give them more confidence.
What is your role at ABC to read?
I am the fieldworker responsible for Windsor, Slough, Langley, Maidenhead and Bracknell (East Berkshire).
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
I started working for what was VRH (Volunteer Reading Help) as a volunteer reader in a school in Slough in 2003. I enjoyed volunteering and wanted to do more for what became ABC to Read, so I became a fieldworker in 2004. I volunteer because I enjoy working with children and I am passionate about books and reading.
What do you want people to know about you?
I originally come from Bristol but have lived in the Reading area for more than 20 years. I live at home with my husband, daughter, son and my dog – a golden retriever.
I enjoy long country walks in the winter , sailing in the summer and reading any time of year! My book group are now in our 13 th year of reading together!
What is your role?
As Fieldworker for central Berkshire, I am the link person between ABC to read, volunteers and schools in Caversham, Earley and Reading.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
I have always been passionate about books and children’s literature. In the past I have worked for a book publisher and been a volunteer at my local school. I also have first hand experience of trying to help a dyslexic child (my son) who struggles to read and enjoy books.
What do you want people to know about you?
Hi, my name is Laura Clayton and I live in Newbury with my husband, two children and cat called Piglet. My son is eight and loves Minecraft and my daughter is eleven and is growing up far too fast.
I grew up in Pangbourne and apart from my years up in Newcastle at university and a short stint in South Devon, I have lived in West Berkshire all my life.
I am Vice-Chair of the PTA at my children’s school and have spent time over the years as a parent volunteer listening to children read.
In our spare time we love exploring local playgrounds, parks and anywhere we can play and have fun.
What is your role at ABC to read?
I am the Fieldworker for the west of West Berkshire: Thatcham, Newbury and Hungerford and the surrounding villages.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read?
When I saw the Fieldworker position advertised I knew immediately that it would be a perfect fit. Reading is such a vital life skill, both for education and work, but more importantly for pleasure. Supporting a dedicated team of volunteers to help grow children’s confidence and skill in this area feels so worthwhile.
What do you want people to know about you?
I moved to Berkshire after finishing university and have lived here ever since with my husband and three children. As soon as my youngest son started in Nursery I became both a parent volunteer listening to children read and became a school governor at my children’s school. I’ve since become the Chair of Governors and five years later I’m still going in to school each week to listen to readers! In my free time I love to keep myself active through running and classes.
What is your role at ABC to read
I am the fieldworker for Bracknell and Wokingham.
How and why did you get involved with ABC to read
I’ve been aware of ABC to read and their work for a while and so was very excited to see this role become available, as its a subject very close to my heart. After a degree in English Literature I passionately believe every child should have the ability to lose themselves between the pages of a good book and I have loved having the opportunity through being a parent reader to help children discover they not only can have this skill but also find that book that opens their eyes to a whole new world.
What do you want people to know about you?
I came to Berkshire to study English Literature at the University of Reading and never left. I now live in the Reading area with my partner and our two daughters, who are both passionate about art and football. As a result, I spend a lot of time covered in paint or standing on the sideline in a wet, muddy field. In my free time, I read and write as much as possible and try to get to the sea at every available opportunity.
What is your role at ABC to read?
I am the fieldworker for central Berkshire, supporting volunteers and schools in Caversham, Earley and Reading.
How did you get involved with ABC to read?
My background is in corporate marketing and communications, but I decided I wanted a change of direction. One of the most rewarding roles I have ever held was as a teaching assistant in a local primary school and I wanted to return to that environment. I began to volunteer with ABC to read because of the very real difference it makes to young children and their progression in life. Through volunteering, I learned about the opportunity to become a fieldworker and jumped at the chance to not only support the work ABC to read does in schools but also support the amazing volunteers that make the charity so successful.
Our Advisory Panel
I have been a headteacher for over a decade in three schools and am currently leading Crown Wood and Sandy Lane Primary Schools in Bracknell Forest. I have a Masters in Teaching & Learning, a Post Graduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs (both from the University of Reading) and am a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.
In addition to my duties as headteacher, I have worked in the Greenshaw Learning Trust’s School Improvement Team, supporting schools in Plymouth, Gloucester, South Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Sutton and delivered training for the Forest Learning Alliance, developing future senior leaders.
It has been a privilege to be associated with ABC to read in all three schools I’ve led and have seen first hand the fantastic work done – and the difference made – by its volunteers. For me, reading is the most important aspect of the primary curriculum. Children who read well are not only able to access all the other subjects in the curriculum, but also unlock a whole world of knowledge and enjoyment. Reading well also brings confidence and self-esteem – something we see when ABC to read Volunteers work with our children. There is no greater gift an adult can give that teaching them to read!
I am an Inclusion Lead and SENCo and a Wokingham Primary School and have enjoyed working with ABC to read for the last 3.5 years. My role covers support for children with SEND, Pupil Premium and children with English as an Additional Language. Prior to this role, I have worked as a primary teacher across mainstream, SEND schools and a PRU, where I also delivered outreach support.
I am extremely passionate about ensuring all children access appropriate education for them and that they leave primary school with confidence in themselves and a learner. Children’s mental health and wellbeing is a priority for me when considering their support needs. This is something I have always loved about ABC to read as I believe it not only supports the development of reading but also provides a nurturing experience for children at the same time.
I have worked in education across Reading and Wokingham for the past 17 years as a teacher, senior leader and Head teacher. I am currently the Head of St Mary & All Saints Primary in Coley Park and am passionate about promoting access to books and inspiring the love of reading in my pupils. ABC to read have been a big part of that strategy providing regular support for our disadvantaged readers and I am really looking forward to supporting charity moving forward.
I am married to Catherine who is a speech & language therapist, and have two teenage children Simeon (15) and Martha (12) who thankfully both love books and reading! I enjoy keeping fit and tinkering with classic cars in my spare time.